some dumb questions

[jerby]

I've been looking around. and i got soem Questions, since google is useless. and my town library sucks.

So:
-what is the big metal 'piramid' on top of the Pilum? is it for extra weigth ->impact force?
-was the sword oif they Sweboz Racoon warrior (wolf-man thingie) really that thin? or wip?
-wich factions will be stationed in Italy (4 roman? or else?)
-why does a Unit named Torikatai (=breastplate) argyraspidai hypaspistai wear a ringmail?

[Sarcasm]

-what is the big metal 'piramid' on top of the Pilum? is it for extra weigth ->impact force?

I assume you're talking about the penetration tip. I belive it is quite obvious that it is a shape that allows it to better pierce armour (ringmail mainly) and wooden shields. The smaller the pressure point, behind a certain force, the better they pierce or cut. It's the same principle as a knife, or a needle.

But I believe that to be relatively empirical...

-wich factions will be stationed in Italy (4 roman? or else?)

Heh. You know better than that jerby...

-why does a Unit named Torikatai (=breastplate) argyraspidai hypaspistai wear a ringmail?

I believe the unit is called only Thorakitai Argyraspidai, and Thorakitai just implies that said soldier is armoured, not specifically with a breastplate. I think I have answered this particular question on another thread.

Forgot to answer the question about the swords. They are regular longswords I believe. It could just be the perspective.

[Greek_fire19]

I believe the 'pyramid' on the pilum was made of soft metal and made it quite heavy. It meant that when a pilum struck a shield (or a person) it bent and couldn't be pulled back out. Also the shaft would covered largely in metal meaning it couldn't be cut off. This was designed to disable an opponents shield or wound him. I'v heard several theories of where they got this idea, one was the scutarii in spain and another some northern germanic tribes related to the franks.

This german tribe had a similar spear which was heavy and had an iron shaft. Their tactic was to throw the spear into an enemies shield then as they attacked, stand on the spear shaft, pulling the opponents shield into the ground and leaving the defender exposed.

[jerby]

no, thats not what i ment. its hard to explain. but take a picture of a Pilum. not just in your mind. look it up on google () you see:
wooden shaft->big 'metal block' -> long thin point.
what is the huge block connecting the woodne shaft to the long point.

Sarcasm,
yeah i know better than that, btu its always worth a try :P

[Jebus]

That 'metal block' was the soft iron part, the tip of the spear itself was in steel. The purpose was what was already mentioned in this thread: the soft iron block would bend, and thus render the Pilum useless for throwing-back-use.

[jerby]

ok, i thought the long tip would bend. thnx

BTW, would i get more attention if i formulated the: what factions will be stationed in rome-question as: what Factix replaces Brutix and scipix and what units do samnix gets then?

[cunctator]

If there are still missundrstandings: Of course the long tip should bent. Metall extensions of the long thin part were mainly there to attach it to the wooden shaft. Later in the late 1st century ad a pilum model with ball shaped weight, that made the weapon heavier was introduced.

[jerby]

ok, so you see what i mean. thank you.

[Greek_fire19]

Hmmm, As regards Italy. I have no idea how much territory Rome will contol. The Aedui preview shows that The Gauls have a province in northern Italy, and I can't imagine any other faction will control land in Italy. In the Roma mod Pyrrus controls a teritory in southern Italy, but the start date was changed to accomodate this so I can't see EB doing this. My guess is that any land not controlled by Rome or the Aedui will be rebel.

[jerby]

ok, i was thinkg of eutrustcans or soemhting, or the samnites. but still Tarentum wasnt conquered untill 100BC or so. so There should be some greek rebels or soemthing.

[cunctator]

Tarentum was first conquered by the romans in 272bc, three years after Pyrrhus retreated from italy. Someone has said that the EB start date is 272bc, so i presume a "roman" faction will controll it. I still hope that the senate and a socii faction will be part of EBs final roman setting.

[jerby]

ok, i thoguht i reda it over at teh colluseum. thank you for correcting me on that.
to continue the pila Q

se ethe pilum dropped. between teh wooden shaft and teh long thin point. what is the immense block?

[Sarcasm]

http://www.larp.com/legioxx/pilum.html

[GoreBag]

LARP.com?!

[Sarcasm]

Huh?

[GoreBag]

http://www.larp.com/legioxx/pilum.html

LARP ist verboten!

[Sarcasm]

Why?

Is there something I should know?

[GoreBag]

Erm...I've already said too much.

[Big_John]

live-action roleplaying?

[jerby]

well, ok. thanks for the info sarcasm. The color of the block (in rtw) made me htink it was iron. but it's wood.

[Sarcasm]

Erm...I've already said too much.

Can you PM me on this then? So I can at least know who or what I'm offending.

Well, ok. thanks for the info sarcasm. The color of the block (in rtw) made me htink it was iron. but it's wood.

I figured you were mixing the iron part and wood part of the pillum. That is a reasonable site for Roman reenactment. Any time jerby.